Culvert loader and car



May 30, 1961 R. G. SMITH 2,985,982

CULVERT LOADER AND CAR Filed Sept. 13, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIII Ih ZZ)I* mmh@ INVENTOR Pfau/,QFD G. SM/TH ATTORNEYS May 30, 1961 R. G. SMITH2,985,982

CULVERT LOADER AND CAR Filed Sept. l5, 1957 1 .2... 27 Z 57 Tcl 22 Z6 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Z755 ""Illl @LT1 M /Z 1 .4. T1 .EL 27 57, T2555@ Z7 Z5 25f7 57 Z5 P-El ATTORNEYS May 30, 1961 R. G. SMITH 2,985,982

l cULvERT LOADER AND CAR Filed sept. 15, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 26 Z Y.ZZ T11,

520, i :l 59 /5\ l l! LJI f M 1 in I WMI* 4! m ATTO R N EYS CULVERTLOADER AND CAR Richard G. Smith, Hagaman, N.Y., assigner to The Lionelgorporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Filed Sept. 13, 1957,Ser. No. 683,843

11 Claims. (Cl. 46-40) This invention relates to model railways and moreparticularly to a simulated loading device therefor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an accessory formodel railways that is adapted to simulate the actual loading andunloading of conduits and pipes from a stationary loading platform to arailway car.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a conduit handlingaccessory for model railways that is automatically operative to load thearticle upon the device, transport it to an unloading position, unloadthe article, and return the carriage to the initial loading position,the entire operation being controllable fro-m a remote location.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a miniatureloading apparatus that may be used in connection with model railways forloading and unloading substantially anyk type of tubular article, acontinuous action being possible so as to load and unload substantiallyany number of articles completely automatically.

Still another object of the present invention is to providean accessoryfor model railways of the above type that may be readily installed for.use with substantially any size and type of model railway and is soconstructed as to not interfere with the normal operation of the railwayapparatus. v

Other objects of the invention are to provide an accessory for modelrailways bearing the above objects in k'mind which is of simpleconstruction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive tomanufacture and efcient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention,reference may be had to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an accessory for model railways madein accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the device shown inFigure 1, showing the loading and conveyer mechanism in an unloadedposition immediately before the device is actuated to effect movementthereof to a loaded position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the arrangement of theparts immediately following actuation of the mechanism, withrthe partsin an initially loaded position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the conveyer mechanismin a loaded position immediately prior to the unloading thereof;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the parts immediatelyfollowing the unloading operation;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the return movement ofthe conveyer and the manner in which the structure is adapted to unloadthe next unit;

Figure 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the parts broken away, showingother operating parts of the apparatus;

r" ice Figure 8 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 88 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of certain parts of theapparatus shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the conveyer mechanism shown inFigure 2;

Figure l1 is a bottom plan view of the conveyer mech-v anism shown inFigure 3; and

Figure 12. is an enlarged fragmentary front plan View of certain partsof the conveyer mechanism.

In accordance with the present invention, a simulated conduit loadingdevice has been provided that has a loading station, conveyer meanssupported for movement relative to the loading station, loading andunloading means associated with the conveyer for effecting the loadingand unloading of the simulated conduits, and electrically actuated meansfor effecting the reciprocation of the conveyer unit, whereby acompletely automatic and authentic railway operation may be simulated.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, and more particularly toFigure 1 thereof, a simulated conduit loading device 10 made inaccordance with the present invention is shown to include a loadingplatform 12 upon which a simulated building 13 is disposed. As is moreclearly shown in Figure 8, a building 13 houses an inclined ramp 14which is adapted to direct hollow cylindrical pipe sections 15downwardly to an abutment 17 forming a loading station for the conveyermechanism. This conveyer mechanism, hereinafter described in moredetail, is operative to transport a single section of conduit 15 fromthe loading station to a railway car 19 having a downwardly inclinedbottom wall 20 for eiiecting movement of each subsequently loadedconduit toward the rear thereof. The railway car is mounted upon atrackway Z1 that extends beneath a transversely extending beam 22` whichis supported upon spaced apart columns 23 forming a part of the conveyermechanism.

With reference to Figures 2 to 6, a carriage device 25 is shownsupported for movement upon the beam 22 by means of wheels 27 rotatablymounted thereon. This carriage includes a frame 26 having a fixeddownwardly depending leg 29 with an inwardly turned web 3u forming alifting element for one side of the conduit. A longitudinal plate 33having a pair of bifurcated legs 34 at one end slidably supported uponshoulders defined by the depending leg Z9; has an opposite end thatextends through a vertically elongated opening 36. The iirst end of theplate 33l is also provided with a downwardly depending stop member 35which forms a pivot point albout which the said opposite end of theplate may be rotated, such rotation being accommodated by the verticallyelongated opening 36. This end of the plate 33 is provided with adownwardly extending arm 37 which is provided with an inwardly Kturnedweb 41 that cooperates with the aforementioned web 36 to define a pairof lifting jaws. This arm 37 is also provided with a downwardly inclinedsurface 39 for purposes hereinafter described.

`One end of a link 40 is secured to a noncircular shaft 42 that isrotatably supported upon a plate 43 fixed within the simulated building13 of the platform. A crank 45 is also secured at one end to the shaft42 and at the opposite end is provided with a transversely extending pin46 which is arranged for reciprocating sliding movement within atransverse slot 47 in a slide bar 49.

A solenoid 50 is carried upon the mounting plate 43 and has a plunger 51that is adapted to be retracted inwardly of the solenoid in response toenergization thereof and adapted to be extended outwardly therefrom bythe action of a compression spring 48 in response to deenergization ofthe solenoid. .The outer free end of the plunger 51 is rigidly connectedto the slide plate 49, whereby the reciprocating movement of the plunger51 is transmitted to the slide plate 49 and then to the crank 45 toeffect reciprocating angular movement of the link 40. The outer end ofthe link 40 is connected to one end of a bell crank, 52 by means of apin 38, which bell crank is rotatably mounted upon the sliding plate 33of the conveyer mechanism by means of a hinge pin 53, as is more clearlyshown in Figures and 1'1.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 2, the loading end of the beam 22 isprovided with a stop member 55, while the unloading end thereof isprovided with a similar stop pin 56. These stop members limit thelongitudinal movement of the conveyer carriage in a manner hereinafterexplained in further detail. A figure 57V simulating a railway workmanis supported upon the opposite free end of the bell crank lever 52 andarranged for reciprocating movement relative to a simulated craneplatform 59 that is carried by the carriage 25.

In operation, the parts assume an initial operating position as shown inFigure 2, wherein the plate 33 is extended away from the fixed arm 31 sothat the jaws 30, 41 are operative to engage the opposite ends of theconduit in response to longitudinal movement of the carriage toward theleft. Immediately following energization of the solenoid, the link 40rotates the bell crank 52 from the initial position shown in Figure 10to the rotated position shown in Figure ll, during which movement thefigure 57 moves from one end of the simulated platform 59 to the other,and following which, continued movement of the link 40 is operative toslide the plate 33 from the extended position to the retracted position33a, as shown in Figure 3. In this position both of the jaws 30, 41securely grasp the pipe section 15 so that upon continued movement ofthe link 40, the pipe section 15 is carried to the opposite end of thebeam 22. In this position, the parts are stopped by the stop pin 56 andthe unit is ready to unload the pipe. Upon deenergization of thesolenoid, the return spring 58 is operative to effect movement of thelink 40 in the opposite direction. During the initial movement of thislink 40 in the opposite direction, the bell crank 52a is rotated in anopposite direction from the position shown in Figure 11 to the originalposition 52 shown in Figure 10. Thus, simulating movement of the figure57, immediately following which, a slide plate 33a is moved to theextended position 33, as shown in Figure 5, so that the pipe 15 isreleased and dropped into the awaiting car 19. The carriage thus movesfrom the unloading position back to the initial loading position wherethe next pipe section 15 has moved down the inclined ramp 14 to theloading station 17. As the carriage 25 approaches this next pipe 15, theinclined surface 39 of the movable jaw rides up along the edge thereof,as shown in Figure 6, so that both jaws again assume the straddledinitial position shown in Figure 2. The return movement of the carriageis limited by the stop 55, thus limiting the effect of the compressionspring 48. After the upwardly pivoted plate 33b has been dropped intothe initial position 33, as shown in Figure 2, the device is ready forthe next operation so that upon energization of the solenoid, theaforementioned cycle will be repeated.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shallbe understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope ofthe present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

l. A loading device comprising in combination, a loading station, anunloading station, a trackway mounted above and running between saidstations, conveyor means supported upon said trackway including a iixedjaw and a movable jaw, said movable jaw being mounted for rockingmovement, the side of said movable jaw spaced furthest away from saidiixed jaw defining an inclined surface, said surface being adapted toact as a follower upon movement of said conveyor means past a stationaryobject to be loaded to rock` said movable jaw to permit movement thereofabove and past said object, means for reciprocating said conveyor meanson said trackway between said loading and unloading stations, and meansresponsive to said reciprocating means for loading and unloading saidconveyor means at opposite ends of said trackway including a crank foreffecting longitudinal movement of said movable jaw between a loadingposition adjacent to said fixed jaw and an unloading position spacedfurther apart from said fixed jaw.

2. The combination according to claim l, wherein initial movement ofsaid crank in one direction is operative to effect movement of saidmovable jaw to said unloading position, initial movement in an oppositedirection of said lever being operative to effect movement of saidmovable jaw to said loading position.

3; The combination according to claim 2, wherein said means forreciprocating said conveyer means comprises an electrically drivenoperator, an actuating lever connected at one end to said conveyermeans, and means connected to the opposite end of said lever and saidoperator for effecting reciprocating limited angular movement of saidlever about an axis common to said opposite end.

4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said electricallydriven operator comprises a solenoid.

5. The combination according to claim 4, wherein said means foreffecting oscillating angular movement of said lever comprises arotatable shaft secured to one end of said lever, a solenoid cranksecured at one end to said shaft, and the opposite end of said crankbeing in driven engagement with said solenoid.

6. The combination according to claim 5, wherein said solenoid includesa reciprocating plunger and a slide plate secured to said plunger, saidplate having a slot extendingrtransversely of the longitudinal axisofsaid plunger, and a pin secured to said opposite end of said solenoidcrank in slidable engagement with said slot.

7. A toy loading device for objects having recessed ends comprising anunloading station, a loading station, means for directing objects forloading to said loading station in succession as each previous one isremoved, a trackway extending between said loading and unloadingstations, conveyor means movable between said loading and unloadingstations on said trackway, said conveyor means including gripper meansengageable with the recessed ends of said object when moved beyond saidobject by said conveyor means at said loading station and disengageablewith said object when said conveyor means direction of movement isreversed at said unloading station, said gripping means including amovable jaw and including crank means connected to said jaw, a manikinconnected to said crank means and visible on said conveyor means wherebysaid manikin is movable by said conveyor actuating means, and means toreciprocally actuate said conveyor means upon said trackway, said means`for directing objects for loading to said loading stations including aninclined ramp upon whichthe objects will roll tor said unloading stationafter each successive previous one has been removed.

8. In a toy device including a loading platform, objects supported onsaid platform for transportation therefrom, and an unloading station,the improvement comprising means supporting a conveyor trackway abovesaid platform and unloading station, a conveyor member movable backwardsand forwards on said conveyor trackway between said platform and saidunloading station, a xed jaw on said conveyor member extendingdownwardly to a level in alignment with the adjacent recessed end of theobject to be transported, a movable jaw on said conveyor member slidablyand pivotally supported on said conveyor member including an inclinedsurface on its outer face aligned with the side of the object to betransported and deflectable upon contact therewith upwardly to clear theobject, means for limiting movement of Said movable jaw along saidconveyor member, said movable jaw including a portion on its inner faceengageable with the opposite end of said object when moved beyond thisend and permitted to fall oi the top of the object and into alignmentwith the far end thereof, and conveyor member moving means connected tosaid movable jaw and effective to move said'movable jaw relative to saidfixed jaw and thereafter to move said conveyor member in an oppositedirection away from said platform to first close said jaws and causegripping of the object by the jaws and thereafter to move said conveyormember for transportation of the object therewith.

9. A toy according to claim 8 wherein said conveyor member moving meansincludes a crank rotatable on said conveyor member, said movable jawbeing connected to one arm of said crank arm, a lever connected to theother arm of said crank, an electromagnetically actuated solenoidplunger connected to said lever for movement thereof in one directionupon energization of said solenoid, and resilient means connected tosaid lever to move said lever backwardly to its original position upondeenergization of said solenoid, and means to energize said solenoid.

10. In a toy device according to claim 8, including stop means on saidconveyor trackway in alignment with said conveyor member to stopmovement thereof, said conveyor member moving means being effectiveafter said conveyor member contacts said stop to move said movable jawand thereafter said conveyor member in an opposite direction wherebyinitial movement of said movable jaw effects separation of said movablejaw from said fixed jaw to release said object.

11. In a toy device including a loading platform, means for supportingobjects on said platform for transportation therefrom, and an unloadingstation, the improvement comprising means supporting a conveyor trackwayabove said platform and unloading station, a conveyor member movablebackwards and forwards on said conveyor trackway between said platformand said unloading station, a fixed jaw on said conveyor memberextending downwardly therefrom, a movable jaw on said conveyor memberslidably supported on said conveyor member, means for limiting movementof said movable jaw along said conveyor member, said movable jawincluding a portion engageable with the opposite end of said object fromsaid fixed jaw, and conveyor member moving means connected to saidmovable jaw and effective to move said movable jaw relative to saidfixed jaw to close said jaws and thereafter to move said conveyor memberin an opposite direction away from said platform, reversal of saidconveyor member moving means being effective to first move said movablejaw to release the object and thereafter to return the conveyor memberto said platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,490,235 Smith et al. Apr. 15, 1924 1,834,499 Richter Dec. l, 19311,964,085 Schmitt June 26, 1934 2,438,603 Erhardt Mar. 30, 19482,452,927 Hammen Nov. 2, 1948 2,584,466 Kaserman Feb. 5, 1952 2,846,815Smith Aug. 12, 1958 2,864,516 Rogers Dec. 16, 1958

